Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 to Be Celebrated on Friday in Gulf Countries After Moon Not Sighted
ISLAMABAD: Several Gulf countries have announced that Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, after the Shawwal moon was not sighted, completing 30 days of Ramadan.
According to international media reports, countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain confirmed that the moon was not visible, leading to the completion of the fasting month.
Meanwhile, moon-sighting efforts are ongoing in Pakistan and other Asian countries, including Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Bangladesh. However, astronomical experts have indicated that the chances of moon sighting in the Asian region are low, making it likely that Eid will be observed on Saturday in these countries.
Officials have emphasized that the final announcement in each country will be based on verified testimonies received by their respective moon-sighting authorities.
It is worth noting that differences in moon-sighting methods—ranging from traditional visual observation to reliance on astronomical calculations—often lead to varying Eid dates across the world.
